The £686 million contract will fund key design and engineering activities under the programme. It is intended to accelerate delivery timelines and strengthen coordination across the three partner nations.
The GCAP Agency said the agreement marks a transition from separate national contracts to a unified international programme. It added that the move reflects growing integration between the participating countries.
“This contract is an important moment for GCAP, as activities previously conducted under three nations’ contracts will now be carried out as part of a fully-fledged international programme,” said Masami Oka, Chief Executive of the GCAP Agency.
Edgewing said the pace of progress has been driven by close cooperation between partners. The company said it would continue to build on this momentum as the programme advances.
“The pace at which Edgewing and the GCAP Agency have ramped up, and are now operating, has been made possible through our shared purpose and strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry this momentum forward,” said Marco Zoff, Chief Executive Officer of Edgewing.
Launched in 2022, the GCAP initiative aims to develop a next-generation combat aircraft equipped with advanced technologies. The programme is intended to support sovereign industrial capabilities in the partner nations and address evolving global security challenges.
Edgewing is a joint venture formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd.. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and is expanding operations across all three participating countries.
The joint venture is responsible for the design and development of the GCAP aircraft and will remain the design authority throughout the programme’s lifecycle. Its workforce will carry out engineering, airworthiness and certification activities as part of the project.
Edgewing said the programme represents a long-term collaboration combining industrial expertise and government support across the three nations. The company added that it aims to deliver the next-generation combat air system by 2035 through continued partnership and innovation.
